(Shin Ye Eun)
(Ryeo Un)
(Kang Hoon)
(Jung Gun Joo)
(The Secret Romantic Guesthouse)
(All people, organizations, locations, and incidents...)
(in this drama are fictitious.)
Are you the leader of Mokinhoe...
by the name of Lee Gyeom?
Answer me.
Tell me why you did this.
I wanted to end the King's tyranny...
sooner than later.
Lee Seol.
Even At the cost of borrowing your name.
Do you believe you can take down His Majesty...
on your own?
So you seduced Mokinhoe with lies...
to try to take the throne?
However much times have changed,
a lie will never become the truth.
You must turn everything back.
I will not wait long.
Are you all right?
Why did Master Kang hold his sword to your neck?
We shall talk afterwards.
He wished to stop the King's tyranny?
He stole your name.
Whatever his cause, that is theft.
There is only one throne.
He will eventually threaten your life.
My father also...
died at the hands of a brother.
I do not want to...
repeat that tragedy.
Both he and I share a goal.
To remove the King and correct law and order.
Your Highness.
I will give Lee Gyeom an opportunity.
You might end up getting attacked.
My enemy's enemy could be my greatest ally.
Do you trust Lee Gyeom?
I wish to, at least once.
If he is the man I knew,
he will make the right choice.
It is your turn to sign it, Your Highness.
So you seduced Mokinhoe with lies...
to try to take the throne?
(Lee Seol)
Master Kang San is the deposed heir Lee Seol?
The reason he held his sword to your neck was...
He told me to turn everything back.
It is too late for that.
You know that.
The scholars have signed a pledge,
and you met the Queen Dowager.
I know that.
Whatever others say,
now you are...
Lee Seol.
(Garden of Flowers)
Yu Ha knows my identity?
Yes. I did ask him to keep it a secret.
Will it be all right?
Do not worry. Yu Ha will not say a word.
I do believe so, but...
You are never at peace.
I always...
cause you concern.
Do not say that.
I am relieved that we can spend time together like this.
So,
why do you not study for the state exam?
You are the only one to fail the first exam.
Dan O told me.
My dream is unrelated to the state exam.
If a young scholar does not take the state exam,
what else can he do?
I wish to forget about the past.
My future with you is more important.
Why do you always joke your way out of a question?
I wish to know about you.
I feel the same.
What do you wish to do?
I would like to...
live my life as myself.
Not as a ghost who must live like the dead,
but as Yoon Hong Ju.
With my own name.
That day will surely come, Lady Hong Ju.
You need not hide.
I saw everything.
The rice cake was tasty, so I thought I could share.
Do not glare at me.
I believe we agreed to keep each other's secret.
If this is...
just a fleeting fancy,
do not excite her too much.
I am concerned.
That she will get hurt again.
What if it is not fleeting?
I do not know how to explain it because I have never felt this way.
Are you...
serious about my sister Hong Ju?
Dan O.
Your sister is just as strong as you.
If you treat her as if she is a child by the water,
how can she venture into the world?
You are right, but still...
- My sister... - I know.
But she cannot...
live as a ghost forever.
What is the matter this time?
Did you know?
That my father had a secret child.
Did you find Lee Gyeom?
So you knew.
Tell me everything you know.
I heard Lee Gyeom had his own followers.
Are you speaking of Mokinhoe?
Yes.
And someone is helping Lee Gyeom.
Do you know who it is?
It is none other than the Queen Dowager.
The Queen Dowager believes that he is the deposed heir.
So the members of Mokinhoe were not the only ones he deceived.
You should watch your back,
or the impostor might take your place for good.
The truth does not matter.
If many people believe it,
something that is false can become true.
Scholar Kang.
What brings you to the palace?
I was told to attend the palace party.
I did not expect to run into you here.
(Naeyeon: A palace party where women are invited)
As if. You waited for him.
Gosh, we could have left sooner.
- We had to clean up because of her. - Exactly.
A coincidence? As if.
Do not act coy. It does not suit you.
Could you...
spare me a moment?
Now?
I waited for a while to see you.
The truth is, it is my birthday today.
Yet I had to entertain men and force myself to smile at them.
I did not want this day to be completely meaningless.
You should have some too.
No, I will pass.
Get some rest today.
I will let the madame know.
These are red bean rice cakes.
When my mother was around,
she made these for me on my birthday every year.
These will not taste as good as your mother's rice cakes,
but eat as much as you would like.
Scholar Kang.
Could you...
stop viewing me as a lowly kisaeng...
and think of me as a woman?
I know...
that I should know my place...
and understand that I do not have the right to love you.
However,
from the moment I first met you,
I could only see you, no one else but you.
I have...
always thought of you as a woman.
What are you doing?
It is just that...
my heart belongs to someone else.
Are you in love with someone?
By any chance,
is it Lady Dan O?
Yes.
I truly envy Lady Dan O.
I am certain that she is not always happy about it.
I have upset her many times.
I thought I heard thunder.
Why are you taking your anger out on the fabric?
That cat went into someone else's kitchen.
So the cat is gone. That is a good thing, is it not?
It will no longer steal our food.
"Woman?"
Since when was he so good at flirting?
A noblewoman like you rarely gets to see a man's ankles,
but it is easy for a kisaeng like me.
Hold on.
What now?
Ban Ya could not have seen the red spot, right?
Goodness, I cannot study.
This darn cat is so loud.
Yuk Ho, what are you doing?
Why are you here?
Did you see the cat?
I think it went into the yard.
It came into the house, so I scared it away just now.
I see. I am glad it is gone.
Go back inside.
Okay.
Yes.
You may come out now.
I cannot get up.
Why not? Will you sleep out here, then?
No.
My legs fell asleep.
I have been squatting down like this for a while.
Gosh.
I cannot walk.
Goodness.
My noodles taste cold...
because of your cold stare.
Did I do something wrong?
When did you...
start thinking of me as a woman?
What?
What is this absurd question?
I just wanted to ask...
for I suddenly became curious.
There is someone you have always thought of as a woman.
Were you at Buyounggak earlier?
As for you...
I do not wish to say I think of you as a woman.
Then what am I? Am I a nobody to you?
A lover.
Lovers.
That is what we are.
Anyway,
you are such a smooth talker.
I mean it.
You do not believe me.
How much of your feelings...
have you revealed to her?
To Ban Ya.
To her, I have no feelings to reveal.
Or...
should I say, your skin.
Dan O,
I have told you numerous times,
but my being Ban Ya's first is a misunderstanding.
From head to toe, no contact was ever made.
How can one prove his innocence?
Even your ankle?
You have not shown her that either?
My ankle?
- That is out of the blue. - Be honest with me.
This is absolutely crucial.
She did once try to take off my socks.
But I was drunk out of my mind that day.
You know how it is.
Refusing drinks as a rookie puts you on the outs.
Right. I hear you.
Get some rest, then.
It did not seem like she understood.
If Ban Ya saw his red spot,
she would know that San...
is Lee Seol.
Are you going to let Lee Seol be?
I am contemplating...
how I should handle this matter.
When playing Go, the weaker player goes first.
Striking first...
will give you a better chance at winning this battle.
Are you suggesting that I eliminate my brother?
It is worth contemplating.
Did he not hold his sword to your neck earlier?
He also has the watchman by his side.
If you do not strike first,
you will be the one to see blood.
I am aware...
that there can only be one Lee Seol.
Why are you looking for Ban Ya?
I have something to ask her.
She is not in her chambers.
She made her way to Master Jang's residence.
To Master Jang's? What business could she have over there?
As if there can be another reason.
He probably summoned her to adore her some more.
So, is there anything new you found out?
It can be anything.
I believe I have given you ample amount of time.
Well...
This is not in regard to Lee Seol,
but Madame Hwa Ryung has been acting suspiciously lately.
What?
She frequently leaves Buyounggak after sundown,
and young scholars...
have been visiting her chamber as if it was theirs.
Why would young scholars want her company?
It did not seem like they were there to drink.
They could be conspiring...
judging by all the secrecy.
One of them is a scholar who resides at Garden of Flowers.
I heard he was the fifth son of Lord Jung Yoon.
As in Jung Yu Ha?
Yes.
I am certain...
that they are conspiring behind your back.
Look into what Hwa Ryung is up to.
Yes, I will do just that.
Ban Ya.
Did you...
tell him the truth?
To Master Jang, I mean.
You were also...
aware of it.
You know Scholar Kang's true identity.
You agreed to discuss it with me first.
- You should have... - Do not fret...
for I did not say anything.
What do you recommend for a silk garment?
The options for men's wear are inside.
Please come on in.
It is for a lady.
You said you wished to live as Yoon Hong Ju.
There will come a day for you...
to explore the world in your new outfit.
(Hyun of the Indong Jang Clan)
My dear fiancé.
Please open your eyes.
No, you cannot leave me all by myself.
That is enough.
Crying will not solve anything.
Vowing to be chaste...
is the most appropriate way for a woman to mourn her man.
If your father was alive,
he would have said it himself.
Hong Ju.
Give it much thought.
I am clouded by suspicion to let this slide.
It should be confirmed.
Of course, my lord.
My goodness. I was capable of carrying it myself.
Are they not heavy?
They are light as a feather.
Do you want them in the kitchen?
Sure. I hope to make a refreshing batch of dongchimi.
This will be our side dish all throughout winter.
Hold on. Are you saying you will make it yourself?
That is correct.
I hope to lessen Lady Dan O's burden.
When one's heart dances to the breeze,
it is difficult to focus on work.
Wait. When one's heart dances to the breeze?
Then,
I doubt you have been able to focus on work lately.
Gosh.
My goodness!
My gosh.
I guess we will not have any dongchimi this winter.
Is Dan O not inside?
She left early this morning...
and has not returned.
I am sure she will be back soon.
You are wondering about her the second you are home.
Gosh.
I have something to tell you.
Meet me at Jungnimwon.
Please do not be too alarmed.
Ban Ya knows everything.
She knows about you.
What do you mean she knows?
I will leave you to talk and wait outside.
Please do not worry.
I will not report you, Your Highness.
I appreciate your words.
And do not get me wrong.
My romantic feelings for you is not why I am keeping your secret.
My father.
He died trying to protect you.
No child...
should make their father's death be in vain.
I am sorry your father died.
I should have asked for forgiveness sooner.
It was not your fault.
I will rectify everything.
When I do,
your father's reputation will be restored.
(Garden of Flowers)
I had no idea...
Ban Ya suffered so much.
It was my fault.
She lost her family because of me.
I ruined her whole life.
You said you have a duty...
as heir to the throne.
That many lost their lives,
and you cannot ignore them.
I think...
I understand that a bit now.
If I do not bring down the King,
their sacrifices will be for nothing.
I will not let that happen.
You are back early today.
- Did you have dinner? - Yes.
Can we talk?
I will...
let you chat, then.
Go on.
What will you do now?
See you at the gathering.
Tomorrow, at 4pm.
Very well.
I will be there.
What did you say?
Who met whom?
Lee Seol and Lee Gyeom.
They met each other.
And how...
do you know that?
Lee Seol came to me.
He suddenly appeared...
and asked about Lee Gyeom.
He was aware that...
Lee Gyeom is leading Mokinhoe in his name.
He knows that much already?
We will yet again have two brothers...
fighting over the throne.
Do you think those two...
would be any different from the other royals?
I do not know who will live and who will die,
but I need you...
to make a decision.
As I promised,
I will turn...
the man of your choice into Lee Seol.
(Capital District Office)
The Chief Eunuch...
visited Lord Sin last night?
Not the watchman?
Yes. He was in the mansion for a long time.
Well done.
Keep watching him.
Yes, sir.
You asked for me?
Do you have anything new on First Vice-premier Sin?
I do not have anything worth reporting.
You do not?
No.
I will report right away...
if I notice anything suspicious.
You are excused.
Did Lee Gyeom send you?
Attack!
Tell me.
Who sent you?
Was his name Kim Chi Woon?
Do you still...
have nothing on Lee Pyeong's bodyguard Yoon Dan O spoke of?
I sent men...
not just to Kaesong but to all the provinces to look.
I have something else to report to you.
The inspector who was executed for high treason.
The fool...
who spoke nonsense and called it advice?
Yes, Your Majesty.
I heard from the Department of Justice...
that his elderly mother was bought and freed from slavery...
by none other than Lord Sin Won Ho.
Is it treason?
Is the First Vice-premier...
plotting treason?
Kim Si Yeol.
Why on earth would you...
What shall I do?
Put away...
your sword.
Are you sure?
I will hear an explanation.
I thought we shared a goal,
and that perhaps we could work together.
That trust was just shattered.
You will not believe me,
but this was not my idea.
Whose was it, then?
Who else would do this?
Why are you here so early?
I said 4pm.
You asked me to come an hour early.
You sent me a letter.
(From Jung Yu Ha)
If you do not strike first,
you will be the one to see blood.
I am aware...
that there can only be one Lee Seol.
So...
I must step back.
You will give up after all this?
What about the aftermath?
I will meet Lee Seol at the gathering tomorrow...
and tell him of my intentions.
I think I know...
who set this up.
I will take care of it.
I started it.
I will correct it all.
I mean it.
It was not the throne I could not give up.
Mokinhoe's members signed a pledge...
to give up their lives to depose the King.
I did not want them to be discouraged.
That was what I feared the most.
Like you said,
we share the same goal.
So do me a favour.
(Pyeong)
Your Highness, now that you have revealed yourself,
you should be the one leading Mokinhoe.
The Lee Seol whom Mokinhoe supports...
is not I.
Lee Gyeom.
It is you.
If I appear before them, they will be confused.
So continue to be their leader for the time being.
I will think about what we should do...
moving forward.
And this too.
I do not have the right to take it from you.
Father left it behind for you after all.
Let us drink.
The two of you have been working very hard...
to track Lee Seol down for over a decade.
I am still not able to help you put your worries to rest, Your Majesty.
I feel awful.
Do not say that, First Vice-premier.
Without you,
I would not have been able to protect my throne.
Thank you for embracing me despite my shortcomings.
Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty.
Have you found anything else about Lee Seol?
We did detect something suspicious.
I will find evidence and let Your Majesty know soon.
Your Majesty.
Do not let Lee Seol concern you.
I have sent a spy to Mokinhoe...
to gather Intel.
You arranged it yourself?
At their most recent meeting,
Lee Seol finally revealed himself...
and became their official leader.
I am trying to find out when their next meeting is.
I will raid Mokinhoe with our soldiers.
So when that happens,
we can finally capture Lee Seol?
Yes, Your Majesty. We certainly can.
This time,
I will be sure to capture him and bring him to Your Majesty.
You two came back together?
Yes, we ran into each other out front.
Your hands must be cold. Hand it over. I will finish it.
It is fine. I got this.
Come on. Hand it over and get some rest.
Hey, San.
Do you really think Dan O is here to sweep the yard?
I can tell at a glance that she was waiting for you.
Are you hurt?
Was it you?
Did you try to get Snowflake killed?
I am deeply disappointed in you.
I said I would concede.
- Why did you do such a thing... - I...
did not wish to witness another cruel sight.
Those who fall prey to political conflicts...
are always honest and upright people like you.
The same goes for the Crown Prince.
How do you know so much...
about the Crown Prince?
I have always been curious.
There is something about you that I do not know.
Are you...
Words about his immaculate reputation...
even reached this lowly woman...
for he was incredibly kind and intelligent.
I do not want you to be involved in this any longer.
Who is my mother?
My father's written will did not mention her.
I heard she was of low birth.
It would be better for you to not wonder.
What is it?
Is there something bothering you?
No.
It is cold. What are you doing out here?
Is Scholar Kim not back yet?
It is getting late.
He is already back.
I see. He is already home.
I wish he could have told me.
But he is a little hurt.
- He should rest up... - What? He is hurt?
Yes. He said he got into a fight with some scoundrels... My gosh.
Scholar Kim.
Lady Hong Ju.
Why are you here?
This is my room.
Why were you asleep...
as if you were dead?
Were you worried that I would die?
Is that why you ran here?
I heard you were hurt.
Let me see.
It is nothing serious. It is just a minor injury.
What happened that you got into a fight?
I am very well-spoken, you know.
They could not beat me with their words, so they used their fists.
I am tired of such jokes that you tell!
You truly are...
You are so unpredictable.
I am sorry.
But it truly is a minor injury.
How about a duel?
You drastically improve when your competitive juices are flowing.
A duel? I cannot beat you.
I will hit the bull's-eye with all three shots.
If you hit it once, you win.
Deal.
But there should be a penalty for the one who loses.
You decide. I do not care.
Gosh.
Please...
Gosh, I almost had it. You saw that.
You are right. You almost won.
You never know.
You could miss your last shot.
Here.
You are a strict mentor for sure.
You just had to beat me.
We are meant to win bets.
And I said I would not go easy on you.
Sure. I do not want you to go easy on me either.
Make it quick, will you?
What is this?
A five-coloured patch pouch symbolizes health and longevity.
I made it myself, so have it on you at all times.
I did not take you as superstitious.
One should find reassurance somewhere.
There is nothing one cannot achieve when desperate enough.
All right.
I will keep it on me...
until after my hair turns Gray.
If...
Even if...
this pouch does not prove to be effective...
and nothing happens as wished,
do not...
let yourself crumble.
(Garden of Flowers)
Are you sure I can leave in this attire?
It is just for the day.
I have found a good place for you.
Only those recognizing you...
will be the migratory birds that have come to rest.
(Tavern)
Gosh.
Goodness.
It is all right.
The handkerchief seems more valuable than my shoes.
Let me.
Save it.
(Tavern)
What brings you by the tavern?
I came to see you.
Are you almost done?
Dan O.
Do you remember...
how I once asked to meet you at Gwangtong Bridge?
Yes.
We were not able to converse that day, though.
It is long overdue,
but I will say what I wished to say that day.
Try them on.
I was never comfortable seeing you taking hurried steps.
Yu Ha, I...
I know.
You are not likely to head my way in them.
Still...
Still,
I liked you a great deal, Dan O.
You have no idea...
how much comfort you brought me.
It is how...
I was able to hold on.
So that was the reason...
she held on to Garden of Flowers as if it were her life.
Yoon Hong Ju.
She has been alive all this time.
How is it?
Do you feel better?
They say that happiness is like a fleeting moment.
This must be it.
Lady Hong Ju.
I...
am not...
who you think I am.
The Kim Si Yeol you know...
might not even exist.
But please know this.
I may not be who I say I am,
but my feelings...
are nothing but genuine.
I am enamoured of you.
(The Secret Romantic Guesthouse)
Do not leave me all alone again.
If she truly is alive,
I will make sure she takes her last breath.
My lady, you are a brave woman.
You are braver than most.
Perhaps you fear...
the possibility of having your brother's blood...
- on your hands. - I am afraid.
I will be by your side,
so safely take your seat on the throne.
Deposed heir Lee Seol will die within this month.
If he lives past this month,
will you pay with your own life?
Do you wish to execute His Majesty?
That day will present an opportunity.
An opportunity to eliminate the King.